Rs 9.5 Lakh Fine Imposed On Domino’s For Failing Cheese Test

The court of an additional district magistrate (ADM) in Shahjahanpur has levied a fine of Rs 9.50 lakh on a Domino’s outlet in Shahjahanpur and its supplier in Pune after a sample of cheese used in a pizza failed to pass a lab test.

The milk fat content in the ‘diced super stretch Mozzarella cheese’ was found to be below the prescribed minimum limit of 35 percent. The fine was imposed by the court of ADM (administration) JK Sharma.

A fine of Rs 4 lakh fine has been imposed on the Shahjahanpur district manager of Jubilant Food Work (franchisee for Domino’s Pizza), Rs 5 lakh on Schreiber Dynamics Dairies, the supplier, and Rs 50,000 on the seller, Suresh Upadhyaya.

Report says insufficient fat percentage

The sample of cheese was taken on July 4, 2015, by food security officer (FSO) Yugul Kishore and sent for a lab test at government regional public analysis laboratory in Varanasi. Food analyst UC Gangwar completed the study of the sample and found an insufficient fat percentage. The lab test was completed between July 22 and 28, 2015 and the report were sent to the FSO on August 5, 2015.

Upon receiving the report, notices were issued to Jubilant Food, Schreiber Dynamics Dairies and the seller Suresh Upadhyaya and a case were filed in the court of the ADM. After a trial that lasted nearly two years, the court imposed fine in this case. The defendant had filed a counter case in this matter, that the cheese was not kept under prescribed conditions (refrigeration) due to which the sample couldn’t pass the lab test.

District manager of Jubilant Food Abhishek Seth told The Times Of India, “I am not aware that a fine has been imposed in this case. All legal issues are dealt by Jubilant Foods and they will deal with this one as well.”

JK Sharma said, “The sample failed to pass the lab test and it was a serious issue as they were not delivering what they have promised.”

Jubilant Food spokesperson told TOI, “Jubilant Food Works has been informed about the court’s ruling. However, we would like to state that the test conducted by us for the same batch of cheese at a NABL-certified lab confirms that the fat content in the cheese is as per the limits prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.”

Not the first time

It isn’t the first case where the quality of food is not fit for consumption. Many food items in the past have faced fines due to laboratory test issues. Previously, Nestle India was imposed with a fine of Rs 45 lakh for selling substandard instant Maggie noodles after a laboratory test found a high ash content in its popular brand.

The court also slapped a Rs 26 lakh fine on Nestle India’s distributors. This case against the Swiss food firm’s India unit is one of various filed by the regulators after they found an excess lead, ash, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), in different samples of the Maggi noodles.

The case took around 2 years which is a very long duration of time and the government should impose strict laws on such companies and the judiciary must set an example for other institutions since 9.5 lakh fine is peanuts for such brands. The Logical Indian believes that utmost attention is required when it comes to food and license of the outlets should be cancelled so that the standards are not tampered with.

Partner Story

This Mother’s Day, Let Us Make A Real Difference In Our Mother’s Life

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

Mothers play a crucial role in our lives. Since we were little, they held our hands, acting as our guide into the world. They took care of all our needs – from teaching us how to hold a spoon, cooking delicious meals for us, dropping us to school and sitting with us while we struggled with our math homework – mothers have been there through thick and thin.

On the special occasion of Mother’s Day, Friends Adult Diapers has a beautiful message for each of us – treat your mother the way she has treated you all her life.

It was our mothers who stayed up all night taking care of us when we fell sick; it was her who help us with our homework. This Mother’s Day, remember to take care and support your mother the way she took care of you all these years.

The minds and bodies of our ageing parents dwindle as they grow even older, and somewhere in the incoherence of understanding their thoughts, children lose patience. They spend less and less time with their parents and hire others to look after them. A study by HelpAge India gives accounts of the elderly, most of whom testify to verbal abuse, neglect and disrespect by their children. Old people rely on their children for both emotional and financial support but, often times are not given the needed care.

There is little difference in how we were as toddlers and how parents are as senior citizens. They couldn’t understand the gibber we uttered then, yet taught us different languages. We were financially dependent on them till at least 18 years of age yet, they never said no to giving us pocket money. Why cannot we echo the same patience our parents showed for so many years?

Our parents have an unconditional love for us. They made sure all our needs are cared for and we never feel alone. When we grow up and our parents enter old age, they require the same care and affection. They would be delighted if we spent time with them after classes or work, make tea or cook for them and also help them with household chores when they have too many things at hand.

It is our responsibility to stand with our parents when they are weak; it is our responsibility to cook for them when they are too tired, and it is our responsibility to take care of them when they fall sick.

Mother’s Day is a celebration in honour of motherhood, a tribute to maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. Let us make a real difference by showing how much we truly care for our mothers.

Friends Adult Diapers has taken a wonderful initiative in this regard. The most precious gift for a mother is her child. So why not take this as an opportunity to shower her with the same love? After all, she deserves it for being with you through every obstacle and every hardship that you faced.